Emerging Nanoparticles in Food: Sources, Application, and Safety

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are small-sized, with high surface activity and antibacterial and antioxidant properties. As a result, some NPs are used as functional ingredients in food additives, food packaging materials, nutrient delivery, nanopesticides, animal feeds, and fertilizers to improve the bioavailability, quality, and performance complement or upgrade. However, the widespread use of NPs in the industry increases the exposure risk of NPs to humans due to their migration from the environment to food. Nevertheless, some NPs, such as carbon dots, NPs found in various thermally processed foods, are also naturally produced from the food during food processing. Given their excellent ability to penetrate biopermeable barriers, the potential safety hazards of NPs on human health have attracted increased attention. Herein, three emerging NPs are introduced including carbon-based NPs (e.g., CNTs), nanoselenium NPs (SeNPs), and rare earth oxide NPs (e.g., CeO 2 NPs). In addition, their applications in the food industry, absorption pathways into the human body, and potential risk mechanisms are discussed. Challenges and prospects for the use of NPs in food are also proposed.

Exploring the Contribution of Intelligent Nanomaterials in Gas Sensing

“…Additionally, the porous structure of these nanomaterials facilitated the diffusion of gas molecules, further enhancing their response. To address challenges in MOS gas sensors, they can be combined with carbon-based nanomaterials like reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon nanodots, and carbon nanoparticles [80] (Figure 9). The unique properties of carbon nanomaterials, including fast electron transfer, a large specific surface area, and chemical functionalities, can modify the properties of MOS materials, optimizing their pore size and surface area and thereby enhancing their gas sensing performance.…”

“…The unique properties of carbon nanomaterials, including fast electron transfer, a large specific surface area, and chemical functionalities, can modify the properties of MOS materials, optimizing their pore size and surface area and thereby enhancing their gas sensing performance. [80] Considering these advantages, Jeevitha et al [81] developed a porous and conductive nanocomposite made of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ) using a simple ultrasonication technique. Various analyses, including assessments of the structural, morphological, vibrational, compositional, and optical properties, confirmed the successful formation of rGO@WO 3 nanocomposite.…”

Synthesis and Quantitative Analysis of Glycans Conjugated to Gold Nanoparticles

“…Nanoparticles are organic or inorganic materials with nanoscale dimensions, typically under 100 nm in diameter [1–5] . Over the past 30 years, nanoparticles have emerged as a major class of materials that drive the innovative transformation of many research activities, ranging from green energy development, catalysis and environmental sensing to drug delivery, imaging and disease detection [6–12] . The unparalleled properties of nanoparticles have not only revolutionized the field of materials science but also provided new avenues for applications, driving a new wave of scientific advances.…”

A review on nanoparticles: characteristics, synthesis, applications, and challenges

“…Nanoparticles have significant applications in different sectors such as the environment, agriculture, food, biotechnology, biomedical, medicines, etc. like; for treatment of waste water ( Zahra et al, 2020 ), environment monitoring ( Rassaei et al, 2011 ), as a functional food additives ( Chen et al, 2023 ), and as a antimicrobial agents ( Islam et al, 2022 ). Cutting-edge properties of NPs such as; nature, biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity, effective drug delivery, bioactivity, bioavailability, tumor targeting, and bio-absorption have led to a growth in the biotechnological, and applied microbiological applications of NPs.…”